The communist victories of 1975 shocked ASEAN into its first summit, a treaty on peaceful relations and early economic cooperation.
In 1975 communists won in South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, and the USA seemed to be leaving the region. ASEAN leaders feared that Vietnam, now united and well armed, might threaten them.
In February 1976, ASEAN held its first summit, in Bali. Leaders signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. It said members would not interfere in each other's affairs and would settle quarrels peacefully. They also signed the Declaration of ASEAN Concord and set up an ASEAN office in Jakarta.
The treaty was open to other Southeast Asian states, including the communist ones. ASEAN hoped to coexist with Vietnam, but Hanoi was suspicious of a grouping it saw as linked to the USA.
Economic cooperation began, though slowly. A Preferential Trading Arrangement was agreed in 1977, and joint industrial projects were planned. ASEAN also started formal dialogues with major partners such as Japan, the USA and the European Community.
- Bali Summit
- February 1976: first ASEAN summit.
- Treaty of Amity and Cooperation
- Non-interference; peaceful settlement.
- Preferential Trading Arrangement
- 1977.
Worked example: Explaining the shift after 1975
Why did ASEAN become more active after 1975?
- Threat: a unified, strong Vietnam.
- Uncertainty: the USA seemed less committed after Vietnam.
- Response: the Bali Summit, the treaty and the Secretariat.
- Result: ASEAN gained cohesion it had previously lacked.
Watch out for this
The Bali Summit created a single ASEAN market.
It began economic cooperation, such as the 1977 Preferential Trading Arrangement, but real free trade came only with AFTA from 1992.
Check your understanding
What principle did the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation emphasise?
- Non-interference and the peaceful settlement of disputes
- Collective military defence
- A common currency